The Summer Olympic Games is the most high-profile sporting event on the planet, the pinnacle for athletes in their prime to test and prove themselves against the best, an occasion when the world convenes and unites under the communal banner of sport. As we are all fully aware, the Tokyo 2020 Games almost never went ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought the world to its knees. Originally scheduled for July 2020, it was deferred a full year, during which time it was literally anyone’s guess as to whether the occasion would proceed or not. Right up to the last minute there were still serious reservations and whispers that it would not go ahead. Residents of Tokyo and Japan were dubious to say the least, reluctant, unwilling even, to welcome the world’s largest sports event to their capital during a time of such uncertainty and fear. Many felt their country was being held hostage in effect by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who, with billions of dollars on the line, had insisted the occasion proceed, seemingly prioritising profit over the health of a nation who didn’t want to play ball. The Japanese government dithered, turning one way then the other before deciding to tow the line and bow to the wishes of the IOC. Once finally approved to proceed it was confirmed that spectators would be banned and robust health and safety protocols would be enforced to ensure any threat from the virus could be combated. In a similar vein to the Euro 2020, the European football championships which was also deferred a year, the Olympics would retain ‘Tokyo 2020’ as its title. And what an occasion it was! What was witnessed over 15 days of competition was among the most enthralling, entertaining and inspiring sporting action in recent memory with numerous feel good stories and examples of super-human achievement, drama and controversy. The tournament once again emphasised the power of sport in being able to unite people from all four corners and promote a notion of positivity. It was truly the first occasion when nations from all over the world came together since the pandemic had begun, serving as a bastion of hope and triumph. It also shone a light on key social issues that are so prevalent within our societies and that shape our daily news. Gender equality, inclusion, race, mental health issues and many more came to the forefront as the Games progressed. The two-week festival also highlighted the durability, tolerance, and spirit of the Japanese people who dealt with such a precarious occasion with their renowned accommodating grace and warm hospitality. They deserved every ounce of praise and applause that came their way. However, as previously stated, there was much trepidation and resistance leading up to the Games... Family affair Japan winning a gold medal on the first day of official competition was crucial as it seemed to soften a significant portion of the Japanese public’s perception and resistance to the tournament. Naohisa Takato’s gold in the men’s 60kg judo appeared to almost immediately break an invisible barrier and make it OK for the host nation’s population to not only support the venture but actually enjoy it. There’s nothing quite like being sucked into the occasion and carried along with the raw emotion that only sports can provide and much of Japan, like most other nations, was immediately hooked. The feel good factor of national pride is a powerful dynamic and something millions around the world had been desperately seeking for close to 18 months. It was very much a family affair the next day as siblings Uta and Hifumi Abe won the women’s 52kg and men’s 66kg titles in judo, piquing the country’s interest levels and engagement furthermore. Young Guns Later on that second day, 22-year-old Japanese Yuto Horigome became the first athlete to win gold in Olympic street skateboarding as the sport made its Olympic debut. Momiji Nishiya won gold in the women’s category. The country was well and truly hooked now! Sakura Yosozumi, 19, then won the women’s park skateboarding contest, ahead of compatriot Kokona Hiraki who is only 12-years-old and Great Britain’s Sky Brown who is only 13-years-old. Australia got in on the act too as 18-year-old Keegan Palmer claimed the inaugural men’s park skateboarding Olympic gold medal in stunning fashion with two giant scores in the final. Skateboarding was introduced to the Games roster to connect with new, younger audiences and, along with the likes of surfing and sport climbing, was a huge hit. Not to be outdone, the oldest medal winner was 62-year-old Australian equestrian rider Andrew Hoy who won a silver from team eventing and a bronze from the individual. Singapore’s golden boy of diving, Jonathan Chan became Singapore’s first-ever male Olympic diver. 24 year old Jonathan competed in the Men’s 10 metres Platform Preliminaries. Due to his Olympic qualification, Chan was nominated for the Straits Times Athlete of the Year award in 2020. Photo credit: Foo Yan Nuen Upsets and shocks As is often the case at major international sports events, there were upsets galore. In the pool, Tunisian teenager Ahmed Hafnaoui caused a seismic shock as he won gold in the men’s 400m freestyle, upsetting the much-fancied Australian Jack McLoughlin, who took silver, and American Kieran Smith. The US men’s basketball team were stunned as they were beaten at an Olympics for the first time since 2004 as France paid no heed to the profile of the NBA superstars led by Kevin Durant in a 83-76 win. Maybe it was the kick up the backside that team USA needed as they ultimately went on to win gold in the final. In tennis, world number one and Wimbledon women’s champion Ashleigh Barty lost to Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo resulting in a shock first round exit. Japan’s Naomi Osaka then followed when she lost to Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic in the third round. It was not what the organisers envisaged as Osaka was very much the face of the Games, having been the last bearer of the Olympic flame to ignite the Olympic cauldron within the National Stadium to officially inaugurate the tournament at the Opening Ceremony. Novak Djokovic, fresh off his Wimbledon success, was looking to add Olympic gold in his pursuit for the perfect Grand Slam in 2021. However, he fell in the bronze medal men’s singles match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta meaning he left the tournament empty-handed. His frustration evident, the world number one Serb threw one racket into the stands and smashed another on the court, drawing criticism for his unsporting conduct. Minnows’ day in the sun There were a number of firsts at the Games where underdog nations and athletes rose to the occasion that epitomised the spirit and glory of sports perfectly. Flora Duffy’s gold medal triumph in the women’s triathlon meant Bermuda won their first ever medal and became the smallest nation to ever win one in the process. Just two days later, however, Alessandra Perilli won a bronze for San Marino in the trap shooting, meaning it was not only the first time the country had won an Olympic medal but it then adopted the mantle of smallest nation to triumph, usurping Duffy’s previous efforts. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz made history when she became the first athlete from the Philippines to win an Olympic gold, the 30-year-old triumphing in the women’s 55kg class and becoming an instant national heroine in the process. The victory was just reward for Diaz who trained for almost 18 months in exile in Malaysia because of COVID-19 restrictions. Kimia Alizadeh came close to securing a first ever medal for the IOC Refugee Team, shocking Great Britain’s Jade Jones who was searching for her third straight Olympic gold in taekwondo, on the way. After winning gold in taekwondo in 2016 in Rio, Alizadeh renounced her homeland of Iran in January 2020 when she released a fierce and fearless criticism of the mandatory wearing of the hijab, blasted corruption and sexism and described herself as “one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran”. She subsequently sought refugee status in Germany and was offered a place on the refugee team, established in 2016 for misplaced athletes. Win for LGBTQ+ The Games was very much regarded as a triumph for the LGBTQ+ movement with rights campaigners hailing it as the Rainbow Olympics, hoping its message of positive inclusivity can be felt and maintained globally. “I feel incredibly proud to say that I am a gay man and also an Olympic champion,” said 27-year-old Great British diver Tom Daley after winning gold in the men’s synchronized 10m platform with teammate Matty Lee. Following his victory, Daley spoke to the press about his husband and son while sitting between athletes from Russia and China, both countries where same-sex marriage is illegal. It prompted Daley to air words of caution: “There’s still a lot further to go. There are 10 counters competing at these Olympic Games where being LGBT is punishable by death.” Daley then showed off his knitting skills as he crafted a Union Jack pouch to protect his gold medal while cheering on his teammates in the stands, before later designing a Great Britain cardigan and a purple sweater for his friend’s French bulldog. Laurel Hubbard of New Zealand became the first transgender Olympian as she contested the women’s +87kg weightlifting category. Seemingly overwhelmed by the occasion, Hubbard’s participation was brief but was hailed by trans activists as a historic occasion for a marginalised community. Conversely, it drew harsh criticism and prompted a firestorm of debate about transgender participation in women's sport. The intensely private Hubbard announced her retirement from the sport immediately afterwards, saying she was now ready to step away from the spotlight. “I’m not sure that a role model is something I could ever aspire to be - instead I hope that just by being I can provide some sense of encouragement,” she said. Aussie boxer Harry Garside certainly provided some colour in the ring. The 24-year-old, who won a bronze in the men’s lightweight division, had proudly shown off his painted fingernails after his quarter-final bout, stating each one represented a different colour of the rainbow. A certified plumber and a sucker for ballet, Garside had said he initially wanted to wear a dress to the Opening Ceremony parade but declined as “I didn’t want to offend anyone”. “There’s a lot of people out there who feel like they have to be something because they’re a male or a female,” Garside said. “I’m all about just being different.” It was reported there were a total of at least 172 LGBTQ+ athletes at the Games, more than three times the number confirmed in Rio in 2016. Shining a light on mental health Three of the most high-profile figures at the Games were amongst several athletes who highlighted their struggles with mental health issues. US gymnastics star Simone Biles decided to stand down from competition for five or her six finals events, citing her struggles with mental health as the reason. Unsurprisingly, it drew praise from certain quarters and scorn from others. “My mental and physical health is above all medals that I could ever win,” said the 24-year-old, who has a career total of four golds and seven Olympic medals in all. British swimmer Adam Peaty announced he was taking time off after the Games after feeling “a huge amount of pressure” for a prolonged period of time. “It isn’t a normal job,” tweeted Peaty, who won two golds and a silver in Tokyo and became the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title. “There is a huge amount of pressure. Money does not buy happiness. “I’m taking a break because I’ve been going extremely hard for as long as I can remember. I’ve averaged 2 weeks off a year for the last 7 years.” US swim sensation Caeleb Dressel, who won five gold medals in Tokyo, aired similar sentiments when describing the immense pressure put upon competing athletes. “Every morning I’d wake up the first words out of my mouth weren’t ‘oh I’m so excited’, sometimes it was ‘this is going to suck today’,” he said. “The Olympics are different, I’ll admit that now and stop lying to myself. There’s so much pressure in one moment. Your whole life boils down to a moment that can take 20 or 40 seconds - how crazy is that?” Ready for Doglympics? Controversy No sporting event is ever complete without at least some form of controversy and Tokyo 2020 was no exception. Many argued the fact it had gone ahead in the first place was controversial enough but several incidents throughout the fortnight soon attracted the gaze of disapproval elsewhere. Russia was undoubtedly the elephant in the room. The country had been barred from competing after being implicated for running a state-sponsored doping program designed to boost its medal haul at international sporting events. Instead they just re-branded as the “Russian Olympic Committee” (ROC), adopted Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 as their national anthem and subsequently sent 335 athletes to compete. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, you could say. China and controversy seem to be synonymous during the past few years and it was no different at the Games. Many commentators and critics argued that China’s very presence was questionable after their irresponsible and opaque handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and reluctance to cooperate during the subsequent fallout. Politics and sports shouldn’t mix but it is naive and inaccurate to suggest otherwise. China and Taiwan’s tempestuous relationship is well documented. Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin won Taiwan’s first ever Olympic gold medal in badminton - a victory made sweeter as the male duo’s opponents were from China. “I am Lee Yang. I am a proud Kinmen (islander). I am a proud Taiwanese,” Yang posted on Facebook, much to the chagrin of Beijing. Taiwan’s record 12-medal-haul has prompted a patriotic surge and seen calls for the country to drop the “Chinese Taipei” title it has used for 40-years in preference of just “Taiwan”. After all, “Chinese Taipei” appears on no recognised maps outside of the halls of Beijing and the Chinese Communist Party. Residents of Hong Kong witnessed booing the Chinese national anthem also antagonised the leading elite on the mainland and stoked furthermore a hugely contentious and divisive relationship that has been indiscriminately controlled by force from Beijing in the past year. Still with China, two cyclists got into hot water for wearing badges embossed with the image of hugely controversial former leader Mao Zedong which violated Olympic rules on political gestures which prohibits the display of political paraphernalia on the podium. Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi were warned by the IOC as a result. Mateship Last but not least is a tale that epitomises everything that sport should be about – serious competition but played in good, fair spirit with respect for one’s opponent. Opponents and friends Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar were tied after their final efforts in the men’s high jump. Offered the chance of a one-time jump-off with winner taking all, Barshim asked: “Can we have two golds?” The answer was yes and the two shared top spot and Olympic gold on the podium. Brisbane roadmap Australia Olympic team boss Ian Chesterman said that the Tokyo Olympics had provided organisers of the Brisbane 2032 Games with “a roadmap” for their own event. Chesterman hailed Japan’s resilience and organisational skills, rating the pandemic-postponed 2020 Games “11 out of 10”. “We thank very much the Japanese organisers who have done an incredible job working for an extra 15 months to make this happen,” he said. “It’s not the Games they had planned for, but they still delivered and the athletes will always be grateful for that,” he added. It is a sentiment that was shared by many, far and wide. The Closing Ceremony was done with an elegance and grace that seemingly only the Japanese can attain. It was subtle, almost sombre at times, but very much a celebration of the most unusual major sports event ever witnessed. As the notes of Suite Bergamasque, Isao Tomita’s take on Debussy’s Clair de Lune No.3, evaporated into an electronic shimmer, so did the occasion of Tokyo 2020, staged in 2021, officially end. Ultimately, the Tokyo 2020 Games comes away with its head held high, deserving of a medal itself in more ways than one. Tokyoites deserve praise for how they managed the precarious occasion with grace despite reservations of hosting a global event in a city where the contagion and control efforts had already been stretched to breaking point. The Games served as a symbol of triumph and hope in the face of the debilitating global pandemic that has wrought so much disruption and suffering. It emphasised how integral a part of our lives sport is by connecting athletes and viewers across the world and suggested that hopefully one day soon we will all be able to truly unite again. Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. 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German for Small Cabin or Cottage ... Guten Tag! A ‘Häuslein’ is a small dwelling with a big heart. It’s warm, the lights are on, you’re welcome here. We named our company Häuslein Tiny House Co because of our German heritage as well as our appreciation for German quality engineering which we seek to reflect in our tiny house builds. Expertise comes from experience. Minimalism isn’t achieved by having less, but rather precisely what you need. Durability doesn’t come quickly, it’s a process that is steeped in time and attention to detail. It’s these tenets that drive the growing team at Häuslein Tiny House Co. to keep refining its offering whilst building more tiny homes in line with growing demand. Häuslein Tiny House Co. was started in Port Macquarie by a group of four friends who wanted to make a big impact in people’s lives by showing what can be accomplished with ... less! They wanted to promote the simplified, less-stressed life where individuals can be refreshed, productive, and better able to contribute back to the world around them. In 2018 they built the first Häuslein Tiny House, and, with overwhelming interest and engagement, it sold in a matter of weeks beginning a snowball effect of growth. There is something about simplicity that beckons most of us in these unprecedented, hectic and complex times. Many of us want to pare back to the basics so we can thrive (not just juggle) and focus on the things that really matter. It seems that the tiny house movement is playing a bigger than expected role for a growing number of individuals and families. The philosophy behind the pragmatic aspect of the builds came from the two years Co-Founders Sarah and Scott Rohdich decided to live small in a tiny home themselves. The drive to make it as ‘home-friendly’ gave them the impetus to carve out a niche among tiny home builders and design/construct a tiny home that felt like a normal home. You won’t see any drop-down beds, fold out lounges or cramped headspaces in a Hauslein Tiny House. Rather you’ll find stairs that feel normal to climb, lofts you can stand up in, full kitchens with space for full-sized fridges and all the creature comforts of home - just with a smaller overall footprint. They named their company Häuslein Tiny House Co. because of the German heritage of a couple of the founders as well as the combined appreciation of German quality engineering - Häuslein being German for 'small house or small cabin'. This is referenced in every aspect of the build, in both materials and how they are put together. Building tiny homes in Port Macquarie was an easy decision as the Mid North Coast boasts so much access to the lifestyle that the brand wants to amplify. Developing the growing team meant finding staff that were aligned with the direction and philosophy of the brand - another benefit of being in this region. Now with 15+ staff, they are able to manufacture Tiny Houses and have successfully installed them up and down the entire east coast of Australia. The average build time of one of their tiny houses is around 2.5 - 3 months and encompasses everything from fabrication of the highly-engineered trailers to the interior fit-out and finish - supplying a turn-key solution to tiny living. Häuslein enjoyed the wider press and engagement after being featured in a Better Homes and Gardens TV segment as well as being one of the most visited exhibits at the annual Tiny House Carnival. They still have people book in for workshop tours after having seen them at the show in Sydney. So what does 2021 and onwards have in store for the team? Sustainable growth is what they’re after. Growing a manufacturing company from four to 15 staff in two and a half years doesn’t come easy in regional NSW and they’ve expanded their workshop to manage the consistent demand. Now at the limits of their previous workshop expansion, the team are looking into ways of maximising their brand's footprint and capacity all the while still being based in Port Macquarie, NSW. Fair enough - the Mid North Coast is a hard place to leave once you settle here! As COVID has rewritten much of what we consider normal now - Häuslein has seen the effects of those inspired by the thought of a sea change. ‘It doesn’t matter what instigates the motivation to live smaller - we believe that it will always yield tangible and intangible benefits to alleviate the busyness from our lives and live with agility and simplicity’ says Sarah, Co-Founder and Operations Manager at Häuslein. ‘We watched the domestic tourism boom and the resurgence of the great Aussie road trip come back and it was a beautiful thing - to see families getting out in nature and the beautiful Aussie bush; supporting regional towns, especially after the bushfires of 2019’. “It was definitely the silver lining as a result of the impact of COVID’ says Josh, the Sales and Marketing Manager at Häuslein. “What resulted from that was a re-discovery 1) of regional Australia and how far it has come in development 2) and how easy it could be to transition to a regional space and work remote or settle into a new role regionally. Have a look at regional property sales and how many people have relocated regionally in 2020-21 and you’ll see!” Häuslein has benefited from this and rightly so. With great access to the Pacific Highway and well positioned between Sydney / Central Coast and Brisbane / Gold Coast, there has been no shortage of visitors to the region - and consequently to Häuslein! The team aims to supplement the desires of those seeking to live a life more capable of being able to give back. What better way to holiday than to discover how straightforward and accessible a restructure of life can be! The team at Häuslein love to hear the stories of those seeking out tiny living for many and varied reasons. Most of their customers live in their tiny houses full time, just as two of their co-founders are planning to do again in 2021! "We’re all in and totally believe in this,’ says Scott, Co-founder and lead Design and Build Manager. Feedback has shown that customers are overwhelmingly thrilled with their tiny houses and the opportunities tiny living has opened for them. 'It’s incredible how such a small, yet well designed space can create both a stunning and highly functional environment to flourish in. We’ve been amazed at how quickly our build schedule keeps filling each year. We’re so thankful for the opportunity to build quality tiny homes for people making a new start in many and varied ways." In 2021, here’s to simplifying your life! A word from Brilliant's CEO You're hearing these new trends a lot - tiny and minimalistic lifestyles. The newer generations I know are more conscious about sustainability. These friends of mine use their money for living in the moment rather than work for a mortgage. They may be called Tiny Houses but they're so comfortable and practical! Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Good Things in Small Eco-Friendly Packages The Tiny House movement that started in America and became an international trend has now been integrated into an exciting new eco-tourism concept across Australia. Tiny House is a dedicated architectural and social philosophy that advocates simple living in small, affordable and eco-friendly homes. Doing so means people have to downsize and simplify the way they live, by cutting back on material possessions. In this way, tiny houses help to reduce consumption for a cost-effective and sustainable style of living. The entire concept is aimed at allowing stressed-out city dwellers to kick-back, relax and re-energise by living in a tiny house. In Australia, the company pioneering and developing the country’s tiny house movement is Tiny Away, which has taken the concept to the next stage by partnering with land hosts to site its handcrafted homes on wheels in spectacular rural settings, all surrounded by nature at its finest. Its choice of tiny houses live up Tiny Away ’s ethos by being designed to be eco-friendly and built with sustainable materials. And with them placed on booking platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com it’s easier than ever to take a reviving break in a tiny house. Rural Bliss There’s tiny houses available in scores of scenic rural locations across Victoria and New South Wales, just waiting to host city-slickers in need of a comforting getaway close to nature. ​Feel the need to really get up close to nature with a tiny house break? How about staying at Merlot Tiny House at Windeyer in New South Wales for an outback experience that’s complete with friendly alpacas at its Alpaca Farm? Or there’s Merrijig Valley Tiny House in Victoria on a working cattle property, with great views of Mount Buller and the surrounding High Country to take in. while horse riding, mountain biking, hiking or fishing. There’s even local wineries to visit. Elsewhere in Victoria is Tiny House Big View at Bonea, in a peaceful country farm surrounded by views over the Bass Strait and close to National Parks, ocean bays, golf courses and vineyards. Back in New South Wales again visitors to the Weereewa Tiny House on a ridge overlooking Lake George can experience spectacular changing views across the lake, which disappears during the dry season when the lake bed becomes visible, then fills up again in the wet season. These tiny house stays can be as short as a quick weekend break or as long a holiday stretching or weeks, or even months! There’s flexibility in booking, with discounts for longer stays to encourage comprehensive destressing far from the madding crowd. The tiny house concept is also a two-way street – Tiny Away is always on the look-out for new partners keen to generate new income from their land by hosting a tiny house to expand the company’s tiny house portfolio. Good things really do come in small packages with tiny houses, with the added benefit of sound eco-friendly credentials. Find out more at: www.tinyaway.com or send us an email: ask@tinyaway.com Phone (Australia): 1800 181 926 Phone (International): +65 6208 3862 A word from Brilliant's CEO Tiny movement is Huge. Tiny Away is a great Air BnB style concept. What I like most is that most of these Tiny Houses are pet-friendly. I always dream of having Tiny Offices in various regional areas, so these Tiny Houses could be my mobile offices, as long as there's good internet. Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here .

The past year-and-a-half has presented a number of unprecedented challenges for all of us. COVID-19 seems to have left no stone unturned as it continues its chaotic march of destruction and disruption around the world. We have all had to regroup, readjust and reshape the way we think and go about our daily lives. We may have to continue to do so for some time yet. At the time of writing, Australia generally seems to have successfully managed the impact of the pandemic in comparison to other countries; decisive immigration control coupled with prudent interstate border restrictions and safety measures have been adhered to by an alert and responsible public meaning infection numbers and fatalities have been thankfully minimised. Unfortunately, there remain additional threats to our livelihoods and well being in the land down under that we are all fully and painfully aware of but largely powerless to do anything about – and the most prominent of all is the phenomena of natural disasters. In recent years the country has been devastated by a spate of unusual and unpredictable weather patterns that have resulted in severe bushfires and floods, resulting in many communities and business nationwide being decimated. ‘Unprecedented’ The widespread flooding experienced in northern New South Wales and south east Queensland during an 11-day spell in March of this year was unprecedented in its scale and impact, causing over AUD2 billion in damages. Homeowners, families, businesses and entire communities were left reeling from the effects of its devastation. One such local business affected was Sushiko, the well known and well-loved Japanese restaurant situated in Short Street, Port Macquarie. Tragically, this was the second time the acclaimed restaurant had been devastated by severe flooding. In November 2013 the business was overwhelmed by heavy rains and subsequent floods that resulted in a heart-breaking set back. Fortunately, the owners Naomi and Koichi Sato managed to rebuild and get their business back on track, much to the delight of local residents who had become very fond of the establishment. The shock and pain experienced by Naomi and Koichi when a repeat scenario occurred earlier this year was, therefore, fully understandable. In fact, the impact of this year’s flood was even more severe as the previous disaster as waters close to a metre high left their premises close to ruin. ‘Fresh Asian cuisine’ Naomi was 23-years-old and living in Sydney when she met future husband Ko in the early 1990s. Ko was trained as a sushi chef. Food was, and still is, his lifelong passion. In 1997 they relocated to Queensland and Ko worked in a restaurant in Brisbane for five years. They had a desire to move to a quieter, family-friendly community: hello Port Macquarie! The couple decided to open a restaurant that could not only showcase Ko’s master sushi skills but also present an opportunity to provide fresh, vibrant Asian cuisine to the local community. Naomi and Ko found it easy to settle and make Port Macquarie a perfect location to raise their daughters. They also felt it was a great spot to launch their business and thus Sushiko was established at shop 3, 21 Short Street in August, 2002. It has been a mainstay ever since. “Gosh, such a long time ago,” reflects Naomi. When asked where the name Sushiko came from, Naomi informs it was an amalgamation of the words “sushi” and “Ko” (香) meaning fragrant. It sounded like Ko's name, so Sushiko was it! Simple but very effective and a name that is now synonymous with top quality Japanese cuisine within the local community and surrounding areas. “By far the best Japanese restaurant on the mid north coast,” posted one avid fan on the Sushiko Facebook page, just one example of the many complimentary comments the venue has received. ‘Everything was upside down’ Coping with the first flood in 2013 was stressful and painful but Naomi and Ko managed to pull through. Getting hit again earlier this year was almost catastrophic. The flood waters reached a metre high and gutted the entire restaurant and kitchen. Tables, chairs, cabinets, dishes, fridges, freezer, food, everything was ruined. “When I opened the door everything was upside down,” lamented Naomi. “We had to throw everything out.” The floods had caused extensive damage and Naomi estimates overall losses to the business between $40-45,000. They were insured and there are business recovery grants being provided by the government but the couple are yet to receive anything. “We have applied but have not heard anything. We don’t know how much we can claim, if at all,” said Naomi. Without their kitchen there was no way to store, prepare or serve food and consequently no income being made through the restaurant. Much of the kitchen equipment was not stocked locally in Australia and had to be ordered from the couple’s homeland of Japan, thus increasing the costs and delivery time. However, after the initial shock had subsided, Naomi and Ko decided to start the rebuilding process once again. It was a slow, painful ordeal but, thankfully, help was at hand as the community rallied around the couple, insisting that the local landmark reopen, something their two daughters fully supported. ‘Community spirit’ It is often said that out of adversity comes strength and the community spirit that was demonstrated to help Naomi and Ko was beyond impressive - something that clearly touched the restaurant’s owners. “On behalf of Ko, Naomi and the wider Sushiko team, we would like to thank the community for their support and generosity throughout this difficult time,” the Sushiko Facebook page posted on May 17. “We would not have been able to reopen our doors without the ongoing support and love of our wonderful Port Macquarie community, we are eternally grateful. ARIGATOU and thank you from us to you. Can't wait to see you all for some sushi!” ‘Environmentally friendly’ We all love a happy ending and Sushiko’s story is no exception as the restaurant reopened its doors for business on May 18, much to the delight of the local community. Naomi and Ko have introduced a few tweaks to their business that they believe will not only improve the quality of their offerings and service but also leave a positive impression on the environment. “We reopened with a focus on using recyclable food containers for our takeaway boxes which are made from corn and sugarcane and are delighted to be able to provide a more environmentally friendly and sustainable offering,” commented Naomi proudly. “We are also using more natural ingredients for our sauces and marinades, which we believe is a positive,” she added. They continue to purchase their fish produce from Port Fresh Seafood, situated next door to the Sushiko restaurant. Port Fresh Seafood is run by Scott, Lindsay and Veronica who, along with their staff, were instrumental in lending support with the clean up at their neighbours damaged premises after the floods had hit. Sushiko is open on weekdays for lunch between the hours of 11am to 2pm. The restaurant decided against opening its doors for dinner or on weekends several years ago mainly due to the long hours it demanded. “We start work at 7:30 am every weekday in order to prepare everything for the lunch shift,” said Naomi. “It is a bit too much to take on more and extend beyond those times, especially as Ko is now 69.” Sushiko may only be open for a limited window on selected days but you will not hear anyone within the local community complaining. In fact quite the opposite, they are delighted that this family-run business has managed to rise above the waters of uncertainty and establish itself once more as one of the most beloved restaurants in the area. Lunch at Sushiko a/ U 3 21 Short St, Port Macquarie, Australia t/ +61 2 6583 3333 f/ www.facebook.com/Sushiko Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Get to know Michele Cook Michele Cook is the proud owner of a very unique Utopia in Wauchope - Utopian Living which is located on the corner of High and Cameron Street in Wauchope. Michele grew up in Port Macquarie and she later moved to Sydney on the Gold Coast and to Brisbane. It was a typical life growing up and moving away from home to a big city. Her careers have not been so typical though. For a bit of background, Michele used to do a bit of surfing in the late 70s and 80s so she is one to have a go at anything. She worked for IBM and she also tried her luck as a blackjack dealer on the Gold Coast. She has been an assistant accountant for some of the big developments on the Gold Coast. Michele taught art for a number of years as well in Brisbane. She taught abstract, portraiture and life drawing to students from five to seventy-five. After the whirlwind of careers, she came back to Port Macquarie eight years ago. It was tough deciding where the family wanted to settle down. She finally moved back to the Hastings region with her family, drawn by life in a smaller community where there was a closer connection with people around her. The Birth of Utopian Living Utopian Living is located on the corner of High and Cameron Street in Wauchope. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Michele lost her job, and getting another at her age (50+) was not easy. With both children and most of her family in Brisbane, she was on her own due to border closures. This was a dire situation many found themselves in, and for Michele who had a meditation background, she was well aware soon enough that her mental health was sinking fast. Painting became her place of solace. She had not painted for 16 years and her mental health situation brought her to seek some stability and peace among her canvases and brushes. The more she painted, the more the art stoked the creative fire inside her. She started making handcrafted jewellery and was letting her creativity lead. This sparked off the idea in her to try selling some of her artwork at the local markets. Unfortunately, the markets were also affected by the pandemic. Having one setback after another can take a toll on one's spirits. Call it a twist of fate, a stroke of luck, or the magical forces of the universe at work, Michele had been driving past a shopfront in Wauchope on a daily basis, and it had a "For Lease" sign on the window. It made Michele stop and wonder and she took the vital step of calling the landlord about the shop space. And again, the planets were in alignment as the landlord turned out to be wonderfully understanding and kind and did not lock her into a long lease. Michele was given the leeway to see how her business would develop during this difficult time in retail. And that was how Utopian Living was magically and miraculously born. The Power of Words Michele is a firm believer in the power of words and how they affect the way we feel and think. She is clearly one to walk the talk, as she has taken herself through the dire period of the pandemic to where she is now by not speaking negatively to herself. The name of her shop came from her idea of a community or lifestyle that is ideal, relaxed and with zero stress. Michele is living her very own Utopia now and is sharing her Utopian Living with everyone. Utopian Living opened its peaceful ambience and friendly atmosphere to the world. People have been delighted by the handcrafted, locally made artworks and jewellery. It stands out as a niche market with its organic artworks - each piece is individual and made with care, attention and a big dose of Michele's tranquility and gentleness. This has truly turned out to be an amazing Utopia for Michele, because she was booked out one week after opening the doors of Utopian Living in October. She has now had to close her books for her commissioned artworks. A point to note for us to be mindful of the power of words and naming - Michele's careful choice of her shop and her respect for the power of language has brought her a very joyous and beautiful life. The Utopian Process Michele uses the style Dutch Pour in her artworks. This involves mixing her own colours and layering them onto the canvas and then blowing them out with a hairdryer or an airbrush or a straw. Each painting comes to life with its own body, texture and tone. Every piece is different and unique. It is in fact, impossible to create the same piece even if she wanted to, because the way the colors interact take on their own life force, and you never quite know what you could create. Nothing is forced or controlled, everything flows and there is a feeling of the essence of life when each molecule, each bubble, each wave, each fold take on their own form, shaped by its external conditions. Each piece is like how a human is born - unique, special and perfect in its own way. Sharing Utopia Michele delights in her creative process and while it brings her tranquility and emotional healing, she is also very lifted by the people who enter her shop, see her works and fall in love with her creations. She has created things that delight people. That is a great source of joy and energy for Michele. Now, Michele has customers from Germany, various places in America, and Canada. While her website is being set up, people have already got wind of Utopian Living and want more than a few pieces of it. Michele has every right to feel proud of what she has achieved. This all started from a small spare room in her home and now it is being shared around the world and very much loved by the locals of her community in the Greater Port Macquarie-Hastings region. Bringing People Together The real sense of community and care in Wauchope was a deciding factor when Michele was considering moving her shopfront to Port Macquarie to bigger premises. The community did not want her to leave and so Michele stayed. Simply put, the community has embraced Utopian Living and Michele. They are now very much a part of their landscape and life. She has regular customers who lovingly wear her handcrafted necklaces, earrings and rings and enjoy feeling good dressing up in her creations. Utopian Creations Michele's handcrafted rings are a special favourite with many. She uses raw gemstones, diamonds and rubies set in silver in an organic and creative process. These are creations that make one want to wear them always and to pass them on for years to come. Michele even has 100% Italian merino wool scarves. These are of course handmade by Michele. She is not one to sit back and get comfortable. Michele researched clothes to see if there was an avenue for a niche. She found an American company offering a range of funky but not over-the-top pieces. It has a beautiful bohemian charm and ease, and every piece has its unique spunk and identity. This has since become a hot favourite with the community and Michele is eager for new arrivals. One reason why Michele's Utopian Living is growing so beautifully is her ability to stretch out and explore. She likes supporting others who handcraft, reuse or who create beautiful pieces as a way to meet their own living needs. Michele's exquisite silk bangle wraps sourced from India are an example of this. Her son travelled there a few years ago and met some ladies working in sari making factories. These women worked long hours for a meagre pay. At the end of the day, they collected their scraps of silk ribbon to sell on the side to support their families. Michele researched and found these ladies. After making contact with them, she now purchases from them and creates bangles from the silk. Michele's sense of community is clearly not limited by geography. Michele values pieces that are lovingly made by hand and which have been created with the gift of time, skill and effort. Products mass produced in an assembly line is not her cup of tea. She loves looking out for the simple beauty of all kinds of common objects we often take for granted - handcrafted perfume bottles, leather belts, elegant light shades, candle holders and stands. She has sourced for these from around the world from artisans. As an artist and creator herself, she understands the value of a pair of hands of a skilled craftsman. Michele's travels to Turkey in the past have inspired her to infuse some of her pieces with their style at Utopian Living. What you will find here are organic, handcrafted items with minimal processing - Michele wants people to connect with her works at a natural level. Find Your Tribe Michele loves her shopfront in Wauchope. It has helped her through some of her darkest moments and is now bringing her so much joy. Every moment spent in the shop, whether she is creating or attending to a customer or simply having a chat with someone who popped in to say hello are all moments that give her a sense of life and connection. Since opening the shop, many of her customers have become friends. The ladies from the Lighthouse Beach area in Port Macquarie are an example of this. One of them purchased a painting from Michele, displayed it in her home and her friends who saw it all wanted one too! This was just the start of these ladies bringing visitors to Utopian Living and Michele's artwork has been brought to all parts of Australia. Utopian Living has taken on this magical connection because of Michele's belief in the value of human connection. How people treat each other is key to living a fulfilling life and growing a business. People who step out of Utopian Living are not the same person they were when they entered the shop. It is a place that has a warm and empowering vibe. The way Michele interacts with every single person is key to this magic. Michele's Utopian Living is not a separate entity for her. It is a part of her life and it is her therapy. She loves what she does and it brings her peace. This is where she is in her element, doing what she loves, creating and sourcing for beautiful things and meeting beautiful people. Her shop has taken on a life of its own. Michele greets her shop every morning when she enters, like an old friend, to a place where she feels safe and loving. This is her Utopia. Her Happy Place. And she created it with her own hands. The best part is, Michele gets to share this with her community, and the rest of the world. Utopia is not a mythical place. You can create it right here. Welcome to Utopian Living. On Earth. In Wauchope. Contact Utopian Living m/ 0413 764 129 e/ Michele@UtopianLiving.com.au w/ utopianliving.com.au f/ www.facebook.com/MichelesUtopianLiving i/ www.instagram.com/Utopian.Living/ Shop 5, 7 High Street, Wauchope, NSW 2446, Australia Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Michele Cook, the artist behind these unique art pieces. For Michele, painting became her place of solace. She had not painted for 16 years and her mental health situation brought her to seek some stability and peace among her canvases and brushes. The more she painted, the more the art stoked the creative fire inside her. Michele spreads happy colours of acrylic paint onto her canvas and teases the strokes with brushes and hot air. The result is a wave of contrasting colours and your imagination determines the subject of the painting. Small artwork sold online Smaller artworks are available online. Size 20 x 25cm. Shop Now! Larger artworks sold in Wauchope Larger artworks are displayed and sold at Shop 5, 7 High Street, Wauchope, NSW 2446, Australia. For commissioned artworks, contact Michele directly. Waiting time up to six months. Shop Artwork m/ 0413 764 129 e/ Michele@UtopianLiving.com.au w/ utopianliving.com.au f/ www.facebook.com/MichelesUtopianLiving i/ www.instagram.com/Utopian.Living/ Shop 5, 7 High Street, Wauchope, NSW 2446, Australia Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here .

Many flying dreams have been made a reality at Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus). As the main body in Australia responsible for administering ultralight, recreational and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) operations, it has been actively supporting the future of aviation in Australia. One way it does this is via the RAAus scholarships. These are awarded annually to people wanting to learn to fly, become maintainers or to be a flying instructor. The RAAus scholarships are a much coveted opportunity for people who yearn to take to the skies and go even further in their flying journey. Bruce Dunlop is an upcoming flying instructor who has recently received a scholarship from the RAAus. Bruce got his scholarship at the age of 68 and he has fully immersed himself in an instructor training course. We spoke to Bruce about his flying experiences and where he plans to soar off into next. What made you apply for the RAAus scholarship? I'm a member of the Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) and flying has always been a part of my life. I love having the skills and freedom to take a plane up on my own. There's something about the passion of flying that makes me want to do more with it. It's not enough to simply be able to fly solo. When I was thinking about the RAAus scholarship and obtaining my instructors rating, part of it was for my own personal development in reaching for another challenge, but it’s also something I want to do for the betterment of our HDFC club. I'm all for sharing the good stuff. I want to pass on my skills and experience to newcomers and associates and feel I have something to offer. I think passion needs to be fed in order to grow. I'm never tired of learning something new and when you give something away, you also receive. I am really excited and grateful to have obtained the scholarship - it will contribute greatly to the cost of training. It's a big motivation for me. Where do you see yourself going (or flying) from here? Ultimately, I want to teach people of all ages to fly safely, skillfully and with confidence. Flying is an indescribable experience, it's not something I can put into words or show you. You’ve to feel it for yourself, the immense pleasure of not just flying but of being able to do it solo. I want to take the next steps that come so I can gain as much experience as I can, and clock up my hours instructing. I want to gain a senior instructor rating. And who knows what I'll do next after that! Are there any barriers to achieving your goal? Some people have been a bit taken aback and skeptical about applying for a flying scholarship at my age. There are also those who were really encouraging and impressed and even motivated by what I'm doing. Flying is very much a part of my life. It's driven by something much more than age. What really matters is, if you have something to give back to the community, I say go for it. I still have about four more months to go before I finish the part-time course and am qualified to instruct. And I'm enjoying every minute of it! What is involved in your training to be an instructor? Most of the teaching is practical. And what is really cool is, the training aircraft itself is the classroom. Really makes you want to jump out of bed and get to class everyday! The main part of my training is to develop my own “patter”. What this means is to be able to give clear instructions, to demonstrate and coach the student. It's a remarkably busy and challenging environment to teach in. Now I'm flying with a training instructor who acts as my student and is helping me develop my teaching technique. How can people interested get involved in flying? Flying is a wonderful sport and requires mental and physical preparation, training and it comes with its unique challenges. The pay off is well worth it, and people who do start learning how to fly find themselves wanting to learn and train more with each flight. The HDFC is a great place to start. It’s been the professional flying school to go to since 1958, so it’s accumulated a lot of flying hours over the generations of instructors and students and it hasn't waned! It's not simply just a place you go to train and graduate and be done with it. HDFC is a place close to my heart and it has become a special place where everyone who loves flying goes. There's a sense of shared passion there and with so much generosity among the instructors sharing their knowledge and experience. We have a lot of young people coming in and instructors at HDFC are all too happy to take them under their wings. Ray Lind is our Chief Flying Instructor there and he has described HDFC really well as a flying school that produces “great and respected pilots”. The HDFC has a high quality and standard which it has maintained over the years and I believe that has generated a lot of not just trust in them but it has also seeded a lot of interest and motivation in the younger generation in the community. The HDFC club has become another home for many of us, so if you can't find me at home, you can probably try the HDFC Club! Learn to fly with the HDFC here . If you're curious and just want a taste of what it is like to be up among the clouds in a plane as a pilot, the HDFC has a Discovery Flight experience you can try out. You'll get to fly in a Sling aircraft with one of HDFC's professional flight instructors by your side. It lasts 30 minutes and you'll get a taste of the basics of taxiing, take-off, maintaining straight and level flight and all that while flying across the coast and town of Port Macquarie. Trust me, when you get up there, you'll never see your town the same way again. It's very likely you'll fall in love with how beautiful it is. Perhaps one day we'll meet with you in the pilot's seat in one of our club’s Sling 2 aircraft, and who knows where we'll take off to! Contact HDFC w/ hdfc.com.au e/ enquiries@hdfc.com.au p/ (02) 6583 1695 Flying training in Port Macquarie: www.hdfc.com.au/flying-training-in-port-macquarie a/ Oliver Drive, Port Macquarie Airport, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia 2444 Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here .

John Julius Bennett He called it the “craziest, hardest challenge of my life,” an assertion no doubt many would agree with. But one man took on a challenge with the aim of helping others and more than delivered. It has been an incredibly difficult past 18 months for so many of us with the COVID-19 pandemic decimating countries, economies, communities, families, businesses. Sadly, far too many lives have been lost and others adversely impacted forever. It is during times of adversity that we often see the human spirit shine through and true heroes emerge. Phuket-based British expat John Julius “JJ” Bennett is one such example. On June 26, John took on the monumental feat of replicating the famed Tour de France on the tropical Thai island, cycling a distance of 3,417km over a 21-day period to raise funds for a local charity initiative called One Phuket which supports those devastated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “It is heartbreaking to see so much poverty impacting so many in Phuket,” 57-year-old John had said prior to the challenge. “People’s lives have been ruined, lifetime savings have disappeared, businesses gone forever and many families within poorer communities remain desperate for food and bare essentials." “I have seen many Phuketians selling their saucepans for as little as 100 Baht just to be able to buy some food to eat, which is incredibly sad,” he adds. That equates to just four Aussie dollars. Stirred by the dire situation, John decided to take on a challenge that would attract attention and hopefully raise much needed funds. “To cycle 3,417km in 21 days is tough,” John commented. “To put it into perspective, that is equivalent to the distance between Edinburgh and Moscow, or Canada to Mexico. Many people have told me I am completely mad and I probably am, but that’s what makes it a challenge.” The cycle was split across 21 days with two days allocated for rest and incorporated the varying stages seen at the Tour de France; hills, flats, mountains and time-trials all featured across separate days with the longest cycle set at a distance of 249.5km. Record Holder John has always been a cycling enthusiast. Aged 14, he became national school boy champion and junior record holder in the South West of England for the 25 miles Time Trial, a record that stood for 30 years. At senior level he raced in France for Peugeot but never made it to the real Tour de France. “I just wasn’t good enough,” he says, modestly. While continuing to cycle for fun, John took a sabbatical from racing for many years before returning competitively and winning over 200-time trial races in the UK between the ages of 35-45. He moved to Thailand seven years ago to take on the role of Professor of Sports Science at Thammasat University in Bangkok. Regular freelance work at Thanyapura in Phuket meant frequent visits to the island, a move he and his wife made permanent in March 2020, just before the first lockdown descended. ‘Demons’ The Tour de Phuket was always going to be a huge ask, demanding incredible levels of resolve and determination to overcome the huge daily distances, the physical toil, the punishing weather, hazardous roads and mind-numbing solitude. “When I took on this crazy challenge, I always knew it was going to be tough,” John said on reflection. “But I never envisaged how many demons I would have to ride through in 21 days and 133 hours. I had to draw on every kilometre of my 43 years cycling experience to get through the daily challenges,” he added. Things didn’t get off to a great start. The first day, a 188km ride, involved several technical issues causing John’s stress levels to rise meaning he failed to hydrate correctly and then suffered severe cramps in the last stretch as a result. “I literally couldn’t get off my bike when I arrived home,” he winced. Each day offered similar obstacles, namely the infamous Phuket traffic with reckless drivers aplenty. Losing the support car became a problem as did inevitable mechanical issues with the bike. However, it was Phuket’s extreme weather conditions that proved the most obstinate hurdle. In a somewhat cruel twist of fate, the longest stage of 249km also coincided with the hottest day, with temperatures topping 39° Celsius at one point. “At the half way point I pulled into a gas station and sat in an air-conditioned coffee shop, wondering how I could do another 125km!” John said, reflecting on the day. ‘Focus Bubble’ This is where the value of self-belief and sports psychology come into play, John said. “At no point did I think ‘I can’t finish’, but many times I had to tell myself ‘how to finish’ by keeping in my ‘Focus Bubble’,” he said. “Imagine you are wearing a weightless space helmet that cuts out all external distractions. You are only left with your own battle in your head to get through each hour and each day. Getting into the Focus Bubble is relatively easy, but getting back into your bubble after something pushes you out is the hardest thing to do for any athlete. “The one thing that popped me back in the bubble was the reason I was doing this ride: to help poverty in Phuket. I kept seeing children in my head with empty stomachs, and remembered I was doing this for them, not for me. If it was only for me, I may have given up, but I had a goal and was determined to finish.” Back to the coffee shop on the hottest day of the challenge with 125km still to go. “I sat in the corner with an iced towel on my head desperately thinking how to get back into my Focus Bubble,” John recalled. He appeared to be stuck. Tired, worn down, helpless even. “Suddenly I regained focus and I asked my wife Ching, who was part of my support crew, to go and buy ice bags from the local convenience store. We proceeded to stuff one bag down the back of my jersey every 20 minutes, to help cool my core down and it did the trick,” John said with a smile. “We started at 6:30am that day and finished at 6:00pm as dusk was settling. It had been brutal and finished with an incredibly tired but satisfied JJ,” he added proudly. Running on Empty For the second longest stage of 220km the weather reversed and the monsoon rains took hold, “the sort of rain where you can’t see beyond 100 meters because of the intensity and spray,” John commented. Again, he turned to his tried and tested Focus Bubble to get him through something he found relatively easy on this occasion due to regular training in his formative years back in Cornwall in his native England where 5-6 hour sessions in cold, torrential rain was common. “I had also prepared in the car for this,” John added. “I wore a peak cap under my helmet and a light undervest to whisk away the cold rain - yes ‘cold rain!’ - as the temperature dropped to 23 degrees at one point.” When asked what the toughest part of the challenge was, John was quick to reply: “In the final week I contracted food poisoning and suffered badly for three days where I couldn’t keep anything inside me. These were my darkest days as I was running on empty.” However, a combination of positive thinking, sound sports science research and techniques and staying in his Focus Bubble helped push him through. “I knew that if I paced my effort at 180 watts I would be using 75% fat and only 25% carbohydrates. In theory we all have enough fat as fuel to keep going for weeks, but you need approximately 10 grammes of carbs per hour to act as the match to light the fat. Every 15 minutes I would pop some raisins into my mouth and let them dissolve through the membrane of my mouth, which actually gets the sugars into the muscles pretty quick, thus bypassing my dodgy stomach.” ‘Support’ Support from the public was key too in helping him maintain his focus and drive. Be it the daily barrage of positive messages of encouragement via Facebook or direct support out on the road, it all contributed. “On stage 18, with 40km of the daily 170km still to go, I was on my last legs,” John recalls. “A Thai guy on a motorbike road next to me, looked at me and, once he knew who I was, shouted ‘Susu coach JJ, Susu’, Thai for keep going and don’t give up. “Another day a car passed me and an expat lady stuck her head out of the window shouting ‘Go JJ, Go JJ!’ in encouragement. Such cases helped me immeasurably,” John said. Seeing the donations rise each day was also a key means of motivation to maintain his levels and remind him why exactly he was doing what he was. “It would help me start the day with a smile, knowing that we were on the way to our goal,” John commented proudly. ‘Deserved Pint!’ John allowed himself to enjoy the final day, riding the 112km with a few friends and letting the occasion sink in before demolishing a huge Sunday roast dinner and a much deserved pint once finished! “We raised B250,000 at last count (just over AUD10,000) and are hoping we may get a few more donations yet,” John said. “I couldn’t have done this without the amazing support of my wife Ching and my secretary Non. They drove every km in the support car, taking care of me, protecting me from crazy motorbikes. Since finishing, I have been sleeping 9-10 hours a day as my extreme fatigue starts to come out and my 57-year-old body recovers,” he added. Asked whether he would consider taking on such an extreme challenge again in the future John replied steadfastly: “If it is going to help someone then yes, absolutely.” Last year he rode 3,000km in 30 days around Phuket and raised B150,000 for a charity supporting youngsters and babies affected by the pandemic. To improve on that this time is incredible, he said. All communities need heroes like John. Someone who selflessly puts others first and is willing to sacrifice so much in order to help those less fortunate in challenging times. The wind may not always have been at his back, the sun not always on his face but he should be extremely proud of his incredible efforts, as so many grateful recipients on the island of Phuket certainly are. Donations can still be made via the GoFundMe page, established to ensure maximum transparency and to monitor all contributions. Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here .

Brilliant-Online visited Michele Cook to find the latest Spring fashion buzz at her Utopian Living fashion house in Wauchope, NSW, Australia. Michele coins ME Fashion Having been involved in the retail side of fashion for the past few years, I've been fascinated by how the evolution of fashion has come about. There'll always be fashion trends such as ‘Hot Goth’ or ‘Bubblegum Pink’. They can be shocking, alternative and open to so many interpretations. Sometimes they're simply a quick way for people to try out different personalities. Ultimately, trends have a limited shelf life, they come and go. I think the world has changed as a whole. We are more accepting and inclusive of others. There really isn’t a ‘norm’ now. And the idea of having to follow a trend is no longer an obligation to fit in or keep up. I find that has reflected how we now view fashion. We're no longer blinkered into looking at just size and shape. As a fashion retailer and stylist, it is important for me to do what I do with integrity and heart. That's what really drives my creativity. I need to create fashion that is real and speaks to people's authenticity. You know how sometimes you find a piece of clothing or accessory that you put on and you immediately feel at ease, at home, comfortable… a sense of 'Yes, that's me.' In this day and age, styling clothes goes beyond being about size and shape. I think styling clothes is actually growing into a much richer and more interesting space where it has to do with not just what we use the clothes for, but it also needs to reflect our personalities as well. So it's no longer about just aesthetics. It goes further and deeper than that and that's what I love about creating! I don't think only about whether something is pretty or not, I get curious about how this piece of clothing or accessory would make someone feel and what it expresses about a person. Sneak Peek of what's coming into Utopian Living this Spring Slow Spring Fashion is making progress at Utopian Living, personally sewn and handcrafted by Michele Cook. This Spring, expect rare pieces of inspired Shabby Chic, Boho Luxe on sexy velvets and hand dyed silks trimmed with laces, ribbons and pearls. Can't wait? Call 0413 764 129 for a personal styling session with Michele and have these draped on you and made for YOU! The creativity in ME As a little girl, I would use sheets, tablecloths, anything that resembled a piece of fabric and add some elastic bands and bits of ribbon to create magnificent gowns fit for a princess. I spent many happy hours just draping cloth, playing with scrap bits and twirling around the room. I loved creating then. And I still do now. Having grown up through the 70’s and living as a young woman in the 80’s, I just loved visits to op shops to upcycle or repurpose pieces into one-off outfits. Making the move to Sydney in the mid 80’s and modelling through that period was an incredible experience - one that ignited my ‘fashion passion’ and built my confidence. The next few years were spent in business, and the ‘creative’ side of life took a backseat. I still found a way to enjoy the beautiful fabrics, textures and colours in the clothes and accessories I chose. I believe a true passion never leaves you, even when other more pressing things come up in life. My love for design seeps out every now and then, and I love those moments as they got me creating some amazing pieces for special occasions! A creative space that knows no bounds Utopian Living is my beautiful haven, my unique boutique that serves as my creative space. Here is where I can release that little girl that still lives in me who loves playing with all kinds of fabrics to create as much as she wants. I love that there is something to suit all types of personalities - the conservative, the frilly, the denim enthusiast, the linen lover, animal prints for the bold, Boho lovers, old Hippies…the list goes on and I always look forward to creating each day. I go into my shop and I simply allow myself to breathe and go ¨I wonder what I'll create today. Let's see!¨ One of my favourite parts of my work is to help with styling and encouraging women to try what they may not have considered previously. Often we get held back by notions of 'right' or 'wrong' in fashion and shy away from trying anything new. The fear of having to fit in or keep up stops us from being curious about fashion and how our bodies and personalities take to fashion. Going beyond aesthetics This is where my other role comes into play. I am a jewellery designer and artist, and I also taught meditation and was a Life and Success Coach, specialising in Confidence and Self Esteem Building in Women. It has greatly helped me to have an understanding and ability to empathise with women who are experiencing transitions in life. What is really important to me, and I believe this is what makes Utopian Living so special, is that women are attracted to my beautiful heaven because it offers them a gentle, peaceful and empowering shopping experience. They are free to be themselves and to be at ease here. It helps them to build their confidence and self-esteem, and to be really able to ask themselves genuinely and honestly, what they really like, how they feel when they put something on, what they want to express. World wide sources I source my materials internationally and ethically. It is a conscious decision to enable wardrobe additions that are different to what is generally available, and to still keep it at an affordable price. They make for an interesting conversation starter knowing that a part of a clothing or accessory has a story from India and another bit comes from Turkey. I have some key items which I will continue to produce and offer at Utopian Living as they are so well-loved and people keep coming back for them. The designer in me has also been busy creating some amazing one-off pieces. These unique designs have been handcrafted right here in beautiful Wauchope, Australia. It's something I'm rather proud of saying to people! Something for everyone When you walk into Utopian Living , you can find something that suits just what you are looking for. Some want a piece for a special occasion and that is when I love taking the time to go through with my clients the beautiful pieces and combining them in different ways such as shabby chic with velvets, a bit of lace and pearl, or creating a look that is classy, sexy with a dash of sass! We often have many wonderful conversations and laughs over such moments and these interactions I have with my clients add so much value to my day and inspire me with more ideas to create. There are occasions where people come in and they are not exactly sure what they want, or it could be curiosity that made them open the door to Utopian Living . I focus on just letting people's instincts and feelings guide them as I show them different ways to mix and match. Sometimes it is simply experiencing with the client how a fabric feels. When clients have a feel of my hand dyed pure silk tops, skirts or dresses, they start to become aware of how fabrics feel on their skin, and there is nothing as luxurious and pampering as the feel of pure silk on skin. Fabrics come with their own characters too, and silk billows in a way that other fabrics do not. When a client walks in, they show endless possibilities, and I do not try to 'label' them and assume they want a certain style. Other than letting them experience what silk is like, I can also show them a very different look and feel. And sometimes Boho Luxe could well be what speaks to them! They may go for maxi skirts and dresses that call their attention with the fabrics that have been sourced from afar. I love the endless surprises that come up as clients discover themselves! Experience Michele Cook's slow fashion It is all like a little adventure whenever a client walks into my shop. After the clothes, we never get enough of fun and we go on to looking at matching with the beautiful jewellery designed and created in my studio! I love taking time with my clients to experience fashion, art and styles together. This is my idea of slow fashion. I take the time to savour creating different works, and I give my clients the same luxury of time for them to have a feel of what works for them. Utopian Living is slow fashion at its finest! I appreciate I am very lucky to be able to realise my dream of designing my own collection, and to create pieces that will stay in people's wardrobes as key elements. They are pieces you want to take care of and keep for a long time to come. This is fashion that is here to stay. I am proud to have Utopian Living on the timeline of Fashion History, where we can wear whatever we want and call it our own. It makes such a difference when we can walk tall and smile knowing that what we wear today is a reflection of who we truly are. With spring on its way, I am looking forward to more inspiration, more exciting ideas and meeting new people who walk through the doors of Utopian Living ! Now that's ME! Let me help you find YOUR STYLE! Book a Personal Styling Session with Utopian Living m/ 0413 764 129 e/ Michele@UtopianLiving.com.au w/ utopianliving.com.au f/ www.facebook.com/MichelesUtopianLiving i/ www.instagram.com/Utopian.Living/ a/ Shop 5, 7 High Street, Wauchope, NSW 2446, Australia Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. 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A very warm welcome to the latest edition of Brilliant magazine, where this month we focus on all things Australian made. We meet Kylie Tucker from Victoria who took her hobby of hand-crafted leather goods into a fully fledged business with positive expansion plans on the horizon. We also spend some time with fellow craftswoman Roberta Sandeman-Allen , an intuitive artist and deft hand with needle felting, who talks us through her passions and her pride at having her works exhibited at the Wauchope Creative Hub . Michele Cook of Utopian Living gives us a sneak peek into upcoming fashion trends for spring and Travis Fredericks , owner of Dark Alley Business , gives us his take on the vinyl resurgence, tells us how COVID has affected the record business and shares his delight at witnessing the power of music connecting friends and family. We catch-up with genre bending, multifaceted musician Karl S Williams who gives us some insights into his eclectic musical world ahead of his appearance at the Vibez in the Vines festival in October, while fellow musician James Bennett reveals some of his musical heritage and tells us about his new album “Life and Life Only”. We hear the story of Dinki Co , founded during the pandemic, which specialises in sanitisation and disinfectant products such as the uniquely named Koala Farts and Tipsy Koala with 10% of their profits going to helping local wildlife charities. Elsewhere, Mark Ennor gives tips on how to use our NSW Discover Vouchers , we look at upcoming journeys with Port Bus Charters, Tours & Rentals and review options for cruise holidays now the industry has revamped and aligned with COVID safety protocols. Having covered land and sea, we also take a solo flight up among the clouds with pilot Bruce Dunlop . In the sports world we get to know Aussie racing sensation Dylan Young , take a look back at the recent Tokyo 2020 Games and meet a lone cyclist who emulated the Tour de France in Phuket all in the name of charity. Mick Easton tells us about his business Mid Coast Mental Health Services and we catch up with TG’s and their use of indigenous programs in their child care curriculum. In the garden, Greenbourne Nursery give us some invaluable soil tips and the folks at Accomplished Tree Management provide some novel ideas on repurposing our fallen timber. In the investment world, Samso CEO Noel Ong gets excited about the Green Hydrogen space and tells us about one of the most compelling ASX stories he’s ever heard, while John Clarke of Success Tax Professionals sheds the light on cryptocurrency. Last but not least, those with a sweet tooth are covered as we delve into the box of delights that is Davies Chocolates and learn why a wholly committed approach to best-practice sustainability is so important to the 90-year-old business. You can guarantee whatever it is, if it's Aussie made then it is done so with love, care and a lot of spirit – happy reading! Ben Tirebuck, Editor-at-large Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here .

2021 has seen people taking a different approach to their vacations. While some travel restrictions have been lifted, they come with a list of requirements that can be cumbersome to meet, and in many cases, travellers themselves aren’t yet ready to sit in a confined space with strangers for hours at end. And with Europe and Asia not on the travel menu, and many US-Canada border closures still in place, many have jumped at the chance to explore destinations within a driving distance from home. As a result, bookings for sites such as those on campgrounds have nearly doubled, where fresh air isn’t at a premium, and you’re not sharing your space with anyone else. But for those who are interested in the get-away-from-it-all factor, but don’t want to completely give up their creature comforts, there is glamping. Comfy Camping As you may be able to guess from the name, glamping is a combination of “glamorous” and “camping”. And glamping experiences are not just restricted to a tent furnished with luxuries, with examples such as Toms Creek Nature Domes, to spending your trip in a yurt, such as the one at Foxfire Heritage Farm in Powassan, Ontario. For the uninitiated, a yurt is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by several distinct nomadic groups in the Central Asia. The structure consists of an angled assembly or latticework of wood or bamboo for walls, a door frame, ribs (poles, rafters), and a wheel for the roof structure. In North America, yurts are built to withstand extreme weather conditions, and as such, are built to be a more permanent structure than the ones they are inspired from. What makes yurts ideal for this region is how the round shape retains the heat in the winter, or keeps the space cool in the summer. Double the Yurt, Double the Fun This double yurt was built by the owners of Foxfire Heritage Farm, who have also received the Northern Ontario Spark tourism award after taking part in a Dragons' Den-like competition! Visitors of the yurt are welcome to explore the 100-acre working heritage farm in a respectful way, as well as explore the 50 acres of woodland trails in the forest also on the property. Farm co-owner Mattimus Larivee and his family can be seen working around the farm and are always willing to answer any questions you may have, and making sure you are comfortable during your stay. The unique structure of this yurt means it is very comfortable inside, with a double bed, and 2 sofas that can also be converted to sleep 3 more people, as well as a dining table that seats 4. The yurt has its own private and very clean outhouse, as well as a propane BBQ and tools, and provided with cleaning supplies as well – everything has been thought of! There is no running water or electricity (this is a camping experience after all), but visitors are provided with water and a power pack to light up the fairy lights at night, and charge any devices. Guests in the winter can use the woodstove to stay warm and for some light cooking. Now, imagine waking up in the morning to the sound of the rooster crowing, exiting your yurt to the sight of cows crazing in the distance, and hens scratching and clucking in their coop – and the very friendly farm dog running up the hill towards you. It’s like living a scene right out of Enid Blyton’s Willow Farm series! Or bundling up in the evenings and toasting marshmallows for your s’mores in front of the crackling campfire, to further relax before you head into the yurt for bed. Ahhh…bliss. Shop Local, Support Local But that’s not all! Foxfire Heritage Farms is situated in a community of farms, many of which participate in The Great Powassan & Area Farmstand Tour. This growing collection of farmers set up their stands at their farms to allow locals to buy their goods, and the active Facebook group serves as a marketplace where the farmers can let the public know what is available. (Psst…this is also a great way to support local businesses AND reduce the number of items you need to pack with you for your yurt stay). Also on the Farmstand Tour map is Bella Hill Maple syrup – the makers of award winning pure Canadian wood-fired maple syrup! The owners, Dan and Lori Costello are more than happy to provide a tour of their sugarshack where the maple magic happens as well as of the sugarbush as well, where the maple is tapped! Calling ahead is recommended to make sure you’re able to get a tour. Both Dan and Lori are very knowledgeable not only just about the maple syrup process, but also about their neighbours in the sugarbush, including deer, bears, woodpeckers and the like! Try their award-winning maple syrup, pick up a bottle of the delicious Wild Blueberry Maple Syrup, or any of their many other maple products. Check out the farms at the Great Powassan & Area Farmstand Tour! So, if you’re looking for a different kind of stay, an experiential adventure retreat to get closer to nature, but one without sacrificing comfort, why not consider glamping? Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Brilliant-Online continues to grow in brilliance and magic in the art of selling Brilliant Magic that works It has been seven months of sharing brilliant stories with the world and we are still flying and discovering our own unique magic! If seeing is believing, then what you will read below is proof that magic not only exists, but it works! Noel Ong, CEO of Samso is one of our Brilliant media partners and he has found that since coming on board Brilliant, it has opened up exciting new aspects for more effective engagement with his clients and and even broader audience of investment communities. Samso shares their Compelling ASX Stories on Coffee with Samso , which on average gets 200 views for each video. With Brilliant-Online interactive advertising, each of their videos now gets up to 18,000 views. Numbers speak for themselves. “It gives us a multi-dimensional digital canvas on which to portray an extended scope of our industry insights right across the investment landscape. We're amazed how results jumped 90x for our client Venture Minerals in just one month!" - Noel Ong, CEO Samso Blending Magic with the Traditional What makes Brilliant-Online such a curiosity and gives it a fresh feel is its blend of modern technology with the traditional. People still have a nostalgia for the traditional feel of a newspaper and magazine - there is something stable and dependable about it. What Brilliant-Online has done is to use that as a foundation of carrying on with the image of the traditional trustworthiness of a newspaper or magazine and blend in a Harry Potter style magic with digital wizardry. This vivid play of the traditional and the magical is what makes our magazine one that grabs the attention of readers and makes them want to stay on and read. And actually want to get to know the businesses featured on our magazine. All without having to leave Brilliant-Online. A Bolder and More Brilliant Look The digital era is one of constant change. We constantly strive to keep our content fresh, relevant and exciting. And as we move into our 7th month of being brilliantly online, we have created a new, bolder logo that ties in with our values of audacity. After all, we want our clients' stories and voices to be seen and heard. The stars on our new logo are our magical symbols. They are there to shine brilliantly, because our clients' businesses and stories are bright and powerful. They tell impactful stories that sell without selling. The arrow is an adaptation from Harry Potter's Daily Prophet. We are making the magic real. And the even greater magic is in how we Sell Without Selling. It's like an Invisible Marketing Spell. And we don't even need wands or spells! For businesses that have spent a long time feeling frustrated, confused, overwhelmed and intimidated by how to market their businesses to the world, Brilliant-Online has made it so clean and simple. Businesses step into the magical pages of Brilliant-Online and they start to even enjoy the process of growing their businesses. Bringing Brilliant Businesses to the World We have spent the past seven months promoting many exciting local companies to the world. Through Brilliant-Online, these businesses have come alive thanks to our digital wizardry where readers not only read, but also fully engage all other senses in watching their videos and listening to the voices of these businesses. It is this incredible level of engagement that makes businesses memorable to readers and all you need is Brilliant-Online to connect a business with potential customers. From all over the world. Through multiple channels. We continue to work hard to deliver even better brand ROI , via our multichannel and omnichannel advertising. We are the only interactive advertising company that offers this multichannel and omnichannel advertising package , and all for one single price. Simply because this method is effective. And we are bold about it. Our Brilliant Clients We are so proud of the businesses who have been sharing their stories with us through these early months of Brilliant-Online's birth. Nowadays, many more consumers are supporting local businesses and brands in their communities. There is clearly a shift in values when it comes to buying. Consumers are more focused on the interdependence of businesses in communities and the impact they are making on the world and their environment. There is a lot more heart and human-ness being put into what and why people are selling and purchasing. We believe in the goals and aspirations of the businesses who have been sharing their stories with us, and we love working with businesses who share our values . We certainly have our clients to thank who have believed in us so brilliantly from the very beginning. Some have been with us through the period when Brilliant-Online was being conceived as an idea, and without their motivation and trust in us, we wouldn't be celebrating our new magazine today. Thank you to our clients for being simply Brilliant. Shine with us Depending on your goals, Brilliant-Online can help you with your marketing needs. We can build you an off-site landing page with specific call to action that has a contact form that captures relevant information and drives your audience through multiple email, blog and social touches for deeper engagements. Contact Brilliant Advertising Call Chrissy Jones for Brilliant Advertising t/ +61 412 137 621 e/ chrissyjones@brilliant-online.com w/ https://www.brilliant-online.com